Lessons to Be Learned After Severe Hurricane Events
One of the best lessons we can learn from 2018 is that no two storms are alike. Hurricanes Florence and Michael caused huge amounts of damage to different states, making international news. Now that we can breathe a sigh of relief that the storms have passed, it’s time to pick up the pieces.
Florence took a while to gain momentum, but still caused as much as 35 inches of rain in some areas over the course of several days. North and South Carolina were some of the worst affected with huge amounts of flooding and at least 51 dead. Michael, on the other hand, was fuelled by above-average water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico. It rapidly intensified, causing the Florida coast to experience winds of 155 mph. A meteorologist has said that “no two storms are alike” and “they can be dangerous for very different reasons.”
As a homeowner, there are a few lessons to be learned from these hurricanes.
Most standard property policies do not cover flood damage. Be aware that your homeowners insurance may not cover flood damage, meaning that you are on the hook for recovering and repairing your property if it floods. Even if your building is not in a low-lying area or near a water source, hurricanes can cause flooding anywhere. For adequate protection, you should secure flood insurance.
Establish an evacuation plan. Know how you and your family will evacuate and communicate in the event of an emergency. Create and discuss your plan with friends and family to be sure that everyone knows what to do when a disaster hits.
Update your inventory of belongings beforehand. It’s a good idea to keep on top of your home inventory, updating it whenever you buy/sell/donate items. For insurance purposes, make sure your valuables are photographed and added to your inventory. It’s also critical to review insurance policies before a storm hits so you know what is covered in the aftermath.
Do you have questions concerning your home insurance? Contact the team of professionals at Premier Risk Insurance who can help you find reliable and adequate coverage for your needs. Serving Lynbrook, Long Island, and surrounding cities in New York, visit us today.
